For the second time in three exhibition games the Griz put on the afterburners, racing out for easy scores in transition. And for the second time they were competitive, earning a 92-79 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats Friday night in FedExForum.

"We were back to 20 fast-break points, which we had (Tuesday) against Houston," coach Marc Iavaroni said after his team's first exhibition win. "We had 10 (Wednesday) against Washington. We have to create easy shots. We're not a great shooting team right now, especially from three so we have to find a way to get to the rim."

The Griz shot just 38 percent in their first two outings and made 43 percent of their shots against the Bobcats. But they shot 69 percent in the opening period, scoring 10 of their first 12 points off fast breaks.

Efficiency in their half-court sets never became an issue as it was Tuesday during a horrid offensive showing against Washington. That's because the Griz set a tone they hope to cement as their identity this season.

Led by Rudy Gay and rookie O.J. Mayo, the Griz ignited most those transition baskets with pesky defense. Gay and Mayo combined to score the team's first 12 points, and the Griz finished with 29 points off 24 Bobcats turnovers.

"That's a good indication of us being into them, which is good to see us starting with defense," Iavaroni said, adding: "What's most important is that we played harder and longer and stronger during stretches."

Last season, the Griz struggled to solidify a style of play. Part of that had to do with shuffling the roster midseason by trading Pau Gasol. What the Griz could count on then was 3-point shooting.

They again struggled from beyond the arc, going 6-of-19, which is why Iavaroni is preaching dribble drives to the basket and ball movement that rewards players cutting to the basket.

"We've got to do it," said Gay, who led the Griz with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. "We can do it. We're young and athletic."

Mayo finished with 12 points after making 5-of-17 shots. Hakim Warrick chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

After being chided for too much one-on-one play, the Griz made it a point to make the extra pass from the start.

"That's what coach wanted with this team," point guard Mike Conley said after a 10-point, six-rebound, four-assist performance. "We all play better in transition. Everybody is more confident. We saw teams run after made shots a lot last year so this year we want to be just as aggressive. We want to put pressure on other teams."

After building a 17-point lead in the third period, the Griz were still ahead by 15 early in the fourth quarter. That was one of the few times they stopped running the offense and settled for quick jump shots.

"We've got to get better," Iavaroni said. "We have to keep improving. Our passes are still off. Our passes are not crisp and sharp. We have to be perfectionists, just like we are with our defense. We have to keep the standards high and keep demanding a lot."

Tip-ins: Center Darko Milicic made his preseason debut, starting at power forward after sitting the first two games due to back spasms. Rookie forward Darrell Arthur also played for the first time in the preseason. He had been out due to a mildly strained right hamstring. ... Former Griz forward Andre Brown returned to FedExForum as a member of the Bobcats. The Griz renounced the rights to Brown during the offseason. ... Warrick didn't record a blocked shot after collecting seven in the first two games.